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Brown, Kenneth William

Date of birth:
August 20th, 1920 (Moose Jaw/Saskatchewan, Canada)
Date of death:
December 23rd, 2002
Service number:
R94567
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Kenneth Brown enlisted in Regina, 20 February 1941 in the RCAF after which he was posted to no 44 Squadron and subsequently was selected for No, 617 Squadron in the Spring of 1943.
After the was he received a permanent commission in the RCAF. He was Pilot on Lancaster ED918 AJ-F on the Dambusters Raid. The aircraft shot up a train on the way to the target which was the Sorpe dam. The Lancaster successfully dropped its mine and hit the dam, but the solid earthen dam was never breached.
In 1968 Brown left the RCAF with the rank of squadron leader, and joined the air section of Canada's Department of Transport. He spent 12 years there before retiring to British Columbia.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Unit:
No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
May 28th, 1943
Awarded for:
Operation Chastise
"On the night of 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following personnel who participated in the operation in various capacities as members of aircraft crew."
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM)

Sources

Photo